• Fed Govt committed to press freedom, says Fagbemi
Vice President Kashim Shettima has dismissed the belief in many quarters that federal structure is responsible for Nigeria’s fiscal woes.
“There is no doubt that the Nigerian challenge, when carefully considered, lies less in the structure of our federalism and more in the deficit of our collective fiscal responsibility,’’ Shettima said while delivering the keynote lecture at the 17th Leadership Annual Conference and Awards in Abuja yesterday.
He argued that people needed to understand that ‘’the problems(fiscal challenges) we attribute to our federal system often stem from poor management of what is already within our grasp, not from any inherent flaw in our constitutional architecture.’’
Shettima, represented by Aliyu Modibbo Umar, special adviser to the President on General Duties (Office of the Vice President), called for greater accountability and reform to strengthen the country’s fiscal federalism.
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The Vice-President emphasised that the Bola Ahmed Tinubu administration was committed to bold reforms aimed at fostering a more functional and people-centred federal system.
A key pillar of this effort, he said, is the administration’s push for local government autonomy.
He added: “There is no doubt that the Nigerian challenge, when carefully considered, lies less in the structure of our federalism and more in the deficit of our collective fiscal responsibility.
“We have chosen the path of reform. It is bold, often difficult, but necessary. Our pursuit of local government autonomy is being realised through the sanctity of due legal process, as underscored by recent Supreme Court pronouncements.”
Cautioning against wholesale importation of foreign models of federalism, the Vice-President cited Canada, Germany and Spain as examples to highlight that every federation evolves according to its unique socio-political realities.
“No federal system is perfect. Each adapts to its context. We must resist the temptation to romanticise foreign systems or prescribe imported solutions that fail to account for our distinct social, ethnic, and demographic complexities”, Shettima said.
He stressed the importance of tailoring Nigeria’s federal structure to meet national aspirations.
Calling for sincere dialogue and collective reforms, the Vice-President pointed to recent policy initiatives such as fuel subsidy removal and proposed tax reform legislation as evidence of the government’s commitment to building a fiscally responsible federation.
“What matters most to everyday Nigerians—whether in Owerri or Sokoto—is not the abstract theory of federalism but whether governance delivers water, electricity, schools, roads, and hospitals,” he added.
Shettima urged public and civil servants at all levels to manage resources with prudence and transparency.
He underscored that real progress would only come when “every kobo is deployed with the people’s interest in mind.”
Highlights of the event organised by Leadership Newspaper, included a presentation of awards to individuals and institutions exemplifying excellence in service and leadership.
Shettima congratulated the awardees, describing them as “the embodiment of the values we aspire to institutionalise: integrity, innovation, and impact.”
Attorney-General of the Federation and Justice Minister Lateef Fagbemi, in his goodwill message, emphasised the government’s commitment to press freedom in the country.
He said his presence at the event represents a clear statement by the Tinubu administration regarding the importance of safeguarding press freedom.
“My being here as Attorney-General of the Federation is also a statement of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, particularly under the able leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. We also have the Vice President here. This shows that we do not tamper with press free.”
Chairman of Leadership Group Zainab Nda-Isaiah called for a shift in how excellence is celebrated in Nigeria.
She advised that national awards should serve not only as recognition of achievements but as a catalyst for broader inspiration.
Nda-Isaiah said the ceremony was not just about applause but about awakening the nation’s collective responsibility to strive for greater impact.
“I don’t think awards and accolades should be about recognition alone. More than that, they should also be about inspiration, especially in a harsh global economy where dog-eat-dog is the norm”, she said.
Some of the awardees were Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State, who bagged the Governor of the Year Award; Ademola Adeleke (Osun), Governor Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), Umar Namadi(Jigawa), Abba Yusuf (Kano) and Bala Mohammed (Bauchi)
Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike was named as Outstanding Person in Governance and Infrastructure; Aliko Dangote, Person of the Year 2024 Award; General Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Zenith Bank, Dame Adora Umeoni Banker of the Year 2024 and Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Service Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, Public Service Person of the Year 2024.